Stuck on What’s Behind
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 3:13-14
There is an interesting article regarding the Prairie View Panthers who, back in the 90s, set a record that might stand forever. Between 1989 and 1998, Prairie View lost 80 straight games, setting the longest losing streak in the history of the NCAA. Nearly one decade and 80 straight games had gone by and yet no victory for the Panthers.
Surprisingly, even with all those losses, the Prairie View Panther fans kept coming to the games. It was an interesting thing because typically fans stay home when things aren’t going very well.
But not these fans. They kept supporting each home game, even though they had not won a game in nine seasons. Finally, after almost 10 years, they won a game against Langston University.
After the game, a reporter asked the head coach, why do you think the Panther fans kept coming out knowing that you all would probably lose? His response was simple, “Even though we had lost every game for nine straight years, our fans kept coming because they believed winning was still possible, as we did tonight.”
When I read this, it got me thinking; many people miss what is potentially ahead of them because they get stuck and hung up on what’s behind them. They miss life’s wins because of life’s losses.
But Paul instructs us otherwise. Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Are you struggling to move on from your past? Be careful. You might just miss something great up ahead because you are stuck on what’s behind. Instead, as Paul instructs us, look what lies ahead, and press on, no matter what is in your past, there are greater things ahead.
There is an interesting article regarding the Prairie View Panthers who, back in the 90s, set a record that might stand forever. Between 1989 and 1998, Prairie View lost 80 straight games, setting the longest losing streak in the history of the NCAA. Nearly one decade and 80 straight games had gone by and yet no victory for the Panthers.
Surprisingly, even with all those losses, the Prairie View Panther fans kept coming to the games. It was an interesting thing because typically fans stay home when things aren’t going very well.
But not these fans. They kept supporting each home game, even though they had not won a game in nine seasons. Finally, after almost 10 years, they won a game against Langston University.
After the game, a reporter asked the head coach, why do you think the Panther fans kept coming out knowing that you all would probably lose? His response was simple, “Even though we had lost every game for nine straight years, our fans kept coming because they believed winning was still possible, as we did tonight.”
When I read this, it got me thinking; many people miss what is potentially ahead of them because they get stuck and hung up on what’s behind them. They miss life’s wins because of life’s losses.
But Paul instructs us otherwise. Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Are you struggling to move on from your past? Be careful. You might just miss something great up ahead because you are stuck on what’s behind. Instead, as Paul instructs us, look what lies ahead, and press on, no matter what is in your past, there are greater things ahead.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2025
January
Plenty of RoomThankful for Your SeatWho God Invites to the TableThat’s the PointWe Do Not Have a Monopoly on GodStop Talking So LoudLet God Handle the Guest ListA Long-Awaited ReunionSeeing Jesus for YourselfIn Possession of a Personal PromiseGet in the Right PositionReady to ReceiveAligning Your Life for God's PromiseWaiting with ExpectancyGrounded in PrayerStrength in PrayerPatience Through PrayerStay Focused Through PrayerGod's Conditional PromisesGod’s PriorityGrounded in FaithTrusting God's TimingThe Assurance of God's PromisesIs It Well With Your Soul?Health vs. HealingStewarding Your BodyA Holistic View of SpiritualityGod Cares About Your BodyWhat You Put in MattersNourishing Your SoulThe Power of Prevention
February
The Power of a ComebackHealing from the PastStop Blaming and Start TrustingBury the Past to Claim the FutureFacing Trauma with TruthCelebrate That You SurvivedRepair What is BrokenNothing God Can’t FixDon’t Swing at Bad PitchesStick to God’s PlanDon’t Let Desperation Drive YouShift Your WeightWho Knows Best?A Good Idea Isn’t Always a God IdeaPeace in God’s PlanFinding Purpose in God’s PlanProsperity in God’s PlanTrusting God’s Plan, Pace, and ProcessKnowing When to PivotGod Hasn’t Given Up on YouNext-Level Faith Requires PerseveranceA New Revelation of GodIt’s Not All About YouNext-Level ConnectionsNext-Level CommitmentA Prayer That Moves GodPrayers That Carry a BurdenPray With Boldness
March
A Solid FoundationPositioned for BlessingMarked by LoveTrust God's JudgmentRest in God's DeliveranceLet Go of ControlWhat You Want MostWhy Church Still MattersFaith in the Midst of DisappointmentJoy for the JourneyA Place of SafetyStrength in CommunityPeace in the ChaosThe Purpose of the ValleySeasons ChangeUnshaken in the StormHold OnThe Power of ResilienceNever AloneGod Is Closer Than You ThinkLet Go of WorryLet Go of WorryBelieve Before You SeeResilient FaithHow to Be a Success God's WayTrue Success Starts with the SoulSuccess Through SurrenderCharacter That Speaks for ItselfThe Power of Being RealKeep GrowingSuccess in the Face of Opposition
No Comments